Semiconductor power distribution and control systems and methods

Abstract

A system for dynamic integrated circuit power distribution and control is disclosed. The system includes an external power consumption target generator configured to generate a power dissipation target for one or more integrated circuits. The system also includes a first integrated circuit that includes an IC power control unit coupled to the external power consumption target generator. The first integrated circuit also includes a first plurality of functional units, each functional unit of the first plurality including a unit power level control and a first power control grid coupling the IC power control unit to one or more of the first plurality of functional units. The IC power control unit is configured to generate a mode control signal which places at least one of plurality of functional units into a first mode of operation based upon the power consumption target.

1 . A system for dynamic integrated circuit power distribution and control comprising:
 an external power consumption target generator configured to generate a power dissipation target for one or more integrated circuits;   a first integrated circuit including:   an IC power control unit coupled to the external power consumption target generator;   a first plurality of functional units, each functional unit of the first plurality including a unit power level control; and   a first power control grid coupling the IC power control unit to one or more of the first plurality of functional units;   wherein the IC power control unit is configured to generate a mode control signal which places at least one of plurality of functional units into a first mode of operation based upon the power consumption target.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 second integrated circuit including:   a second IC power control unit coupled to the external power consumption target generator;   a second plurality of functional units, each functional unit of the second plurality including a unit power level control; and   a second power control grid coupling the IC power control unit to one or more of the plurality of functional units;   wherein the second IC power control unit is configured to generate a mode control signal which places at least one of plurality of functional units into a first mode of operation based upon the power consumption target.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the IC power control unit includes a table including operating modes for one or more of the first plurality of functional units and a power dissipated by each operating mode. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the IC power control unit is configured to generate the mode control signal based upon information contained in the table and the power consumption target. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the table is generated at power on of the system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first integrated circuit further includes:
 a second power control grid coupled to the IC power control unit and one or more of the first plurality of functional units.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the unit power level control includes:
 a uniquely addressable receiver configured to allow communication between the IC power control unit and a particular one of the first plurality of functional units.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the power level control further includes:
 a power measuring device configured to determine the power being dissipated at a particular time.   
     
     
         9 . An integrated circuit comprising:
 an IC power control unit configured to receive a power consumption target value from an external power consumption target generator;   a first plurality of functional units, each functional unit of the first plurality including a unit power level control; and   a first power control grid coupling the IC power control unit to one or more of the first plurality of functional units;   wherein the IC power control unit is configured to generate a mode control signal which places at least one of plurality of functional units into a first mode of operation based upon the power consumption target.   
     
     
         10 . The integrated circuit of  claim 9 , wherein the IC power control unit includes a table including operating modes for one or more of the first plurality of functional units and a power dissipated by each operating mode. 
     
     
         11 . The integrated circuit of  claim 10 , wherein the IC power control unit is configured to generate the mode control signal based upon information contained in the table and the power consumption target. 
     
     
         12 . The integrated circuit of  claim 10 , wherein the table is generated at power on of the system. 
     
     
         13 . The integrated circuit of  claim 9 , wherein the first integrated circuit further includes:
 a second power control grid coupled to the IC power control unit and one or more of the first plurality of functional units.   
     
     
         14 . The integrated circuit of  claim 9 , wherein the unit power level control includes:
 a uniquely addressable receiver configured to allow communication between the IC power control unit and a particular one of the first plurality of functional units.   
     
     
         15 . The integrated circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the power level control further includes:
 a power measuring device configured to determine the power being dissipated at a particular time.   
     
     
         16 . The integrated circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the power level control further includes:
 a power mode control module configured to create power mode select signals for placing the functional unit a particular state.   
     
     
         17 . A method for dynamically controlling power distribution of a power in system including multiple integrated circuits:
 receiving at a first integrated circuit a power consumption target from an power consumption target generator;   selecting a mode of operation for one or more functional units of the first integrated circuit based on the power consumption target; and   transmitting the mode of operation to one or more of the functional units.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein selecting includes accessing a table containing possible operation modes for one or more of the functional units. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the table is created at power on. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the table includes a power dissipation related to each mode.